How Good It Is (Gong2Heaven Collection Vol. 1)

“How good and how pleasant it is for brothers and sisters to dwell together in unity.”

"How Good It Is" features examples of the short and long gong meditations that Jere plays for himself and others. Refresh, rejuvenate, and energize your body, mind, and spirit with these powerfully relaxing gongbath meditations.

1. The Seven Chakras ~ 41:29 ~ is a full-length gongbath that resonates each of the seven chakras.

2. Hine Mah Tov ~ 11:26 ~ means "How Good It Is" and celebrates the joy we experience when we gather together in peace and unity. You might use this short gongbath when you have time for just a few minutes of meditation.

3. [Get Your Daily Dose of] Vitamin G[ong] ~ 11:46 ~ is a brief meditation that will support your "daily dose of Vitamin G.” This is another short gongbath that you may use when you only have time for a few minutes of meditation.

Suggestions for Listening: "The Seven Chakras" will provide you with a full-length gongbath experience, while "Hine Mah Tov" and "Vitamin G[ong]" are ideal for shavasana at the end of your yoga session or when you only have 10 minutes or so for meditation, etc. Find a place where you won't be interrupted. Turn off anything that rings, buzzes, beeps, etc. Dim the lights, sit or lie down comfortably. If you have headphones, use them. Close your eyes, take a deep breath in, and release your breath slowly as you let go of anything you no longer want or need to keep within yourself. All of these recordings also are especially wonderful for listening through headphones while traveling on an airplane, etc. (but not while driving!). You will arrive feeling refreshed and energized. Enjoy the ride!

Album Notes:

“The gongs found me.” From the moment that the mallet struck the gong at the first gongbath that I ever attended, I felt drawn – compelled – to learn to play these marvelous instruments and to share with others the feelings of peace and healing they bring to me. It is with great joy that I offer these samples of the short and long gong meditations that I play for myself, my wife, Ellen, and others at private and public gongbaths and other meditation events. Each gongbath is a unique, uplifting, and joyous experience for me as well as the listeners – everyone departs feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and energized. I hope you enjoy them. With love and blessings – Jere Friedman

About the Gongs:

I played the following four remarkable gongs on this CD:• Mr. Charlie ~ a 32” Paiste Symphonic gong. Mr. Charlie gets his name from the Grateful Dead song with the same name.• Sylvia ~ a 20” Paiste Symphonic gong. Sylvia is named after my very dear cousin who transitioned from this life in March 2009 following her experience with breast cancer. “Sleep in the stars, Sis.”• Al Tira ~ a 38” Paiste Sedna Planetary gong. “Al Tira” is Hebrew for “fear not” or “do not fear.” See Genesis 15:1.• Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh ~ a 24” Paiste Uranus Planetary gong. Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh is Hebrew for one of God’s names: “I will be Who I will be.” See Exodus 3:14. As Divine Beings having a human experience, my wish is that we can each say “I will be who I will be.”

About the Recordings:

The Seven Chakras (41:29) is a full-length gongbath played exclusively on Mr. Charlie. Based on the principle that different areas of the gong correspond to – and resonate with – each of the seven major chakras, during this gongbath I focus on each of the chakra areas, starting with the root chakra and working up to the crown chakra. Once there, I work the gong up and down, left and right, in and out, etc. in an effort to open up any blockages, release pent-up energies, and bring the listener’s chakras into balance. The eighth chakra, or aura, corresponds to the rim area of the gong. Listen to the “Tsunami” recording on my Shelter of Peace CD to hear an intense playing experience that focuses exclusively on this chakra.

2. Hine Mah Tov (11:26) I start with a brief chant in Hebrew (transliterated) “Hine(y) mah tov u’ma-nayim, Shevet a-chim gam ya-chad”, which is translated “How good and how pleasant it is for brothers [and sisters] to dwell together in unity.” These words are the first verse of Psalm 133. I have three older brothers and we love to sing this whenever we all get together. Gongs used: Mr. Charlie, Sylvia, Al Tira, and Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh.

3. [Get Your Daily Dose of] Vitamin G[ong] (11:46) This meditation gets its name from a (more-or-less) daily practice that my wife, Ellen, and I have. We love to start each day together with a few minutes of breathing, meditation, and prayer. Then I play the gong for about 10 minutes while Ellen enjoys. We call that our “daily dose of Vitamin G” and it really gets our day going with a positive vibe! This piece and Hine Mah Tov are brief but effective gong meditations that you can use to “get your daily dose” if you only have 10 minutes or so for a gong meditation. Gongs used: Mr. Charlie, Sylvia, Al Tira, and Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh.